Best Sounding Red Book CD Changer Under $400

I picked up a Sony DVP-NC555ES off of ebay last month. They seem to be in abundant supply for buy it now pricing of $299 (mfg refurb) to $359 (new) - both with full Sony warranty (or so they advertise). This is an SACD player/changer, and the redbook quality blows away everything else I've tried, including away my NAD C-541i. Even on HDCD's (eg Neil Young Prairie Wind) it sounds better than the NAD, which possesses HDCD decoding, while the Sony does not.

Something in the Sony ES series would seem your best bet.

If you can stretch your budget, there's a guy selling new Cal Audio CL-10's here on Audiogon. This is a player that retailed for $2000 at one point. Since Cal Audio is belly up, you'll take your chances a bit, but Jim offers a 90 day warranty. I bought one and am very pleased with it. The build quality is outstanding. I took the cover off to check out the running gear. Cal used copper shielding throughout. Plus, it sounds great.

A few years ago, I used a Rotel RCC-1055 which retails for $799. The CL-10 is much better made, with a more precise disc tray, better features, and significantly better sounding.

I highly recommend looking into a Sony SCD - C333ES.

You can pick one up for $350 - $400, it plays CD/SACD, and is a 5 disk changer. Surprising sonics, to be frank. In my system last month, it embarrassed a very well regarded $2500 audiophile player in pretty obvious fashion. In fact, the owner of the other machine was astounded. No, it doesn't compete with my Granite 657, but it sure is really nice machine.

The CL-10 is a champ, that's for sure. You will probably pay more than $400, though. I love mine. There were QA/QC problems with early production, don't know if it was solved in later years.